How to Slow Time
The phenomenon of time zipping past us faster as we get older is nothing new. This is something I’ve been interested in for years. I once read that the feeling of time going by quickly is thought to be brought on by our repetitive lives.
Why does time fly by?
We all have that summer we remember, the one where we had our first kiss or did something else taboo. That summer seemed to last forever. Did I just quote Don Henley?
It is believed that when we first do something new, it makes time stand still. As we get older, we do the same things over and over, and time goes by faster because of this repetitiveness. This should encourage you to try something new, like attend a networking event you’ve never been to, take a class on something new, travel, or start a blog.
Last year, I interviewed Ronni Bennett, a retired television producer who produced classic TV shows like Barbara Walters specials and “20/20.” She even launched CBSNews.com as their first managing editor in 1995. Ronni blogs all about issues and topics related to aging at Time Goes By.
Timeless Networking Tips
It is by blogging for years about age that Bennett has built a network of loyal readers. She has even organized meetups where she has been able to meet her readers in person. In the hustle and bustle of business use of social media (especially this time of the year), it’s easy to forget about truly connecting with people online. Instead, we want our content to be seen by as many eyeballs as possible. Bennett reminded me of the importance of building relationships, and she has done just this by creating a community of like-minded individuals with an interest in aging.
Bennett also spoke about how she networked her way to an impressive career in broadcasting from the 1970s to the 1990s. She got to know so many people by attending dinners. Each person would often bring a guest to the dinners, and her network would grow from these encounters. She arrived at CBSNews.com because she helped a person in her network. The executive producer of CBS needed to learn about the Internet. Bennett offered to help and ended up being offered the job as the first managing editor.
Here are three main things I learned from our thought-provoking and often hilarious conversation:
1. Try new things to slow time down, but know the speed of time never really changes.
2. Be selfless and helpful to people in your network. This landed Bennett a position as a pioneer of the Internet. She was the first person to connect text with images in online news.
3. Attend and/or organize events. Getting out from behind the computer and meeting new people or your online friends in person is always a healthy move to grow your network.
Take some time now to listen to my original interview with Ronni Bennett. I promise you will be laughing and thinking about age in a new way.
Is time going by quickly for you too? Have you figured your own way to make it slow?